Return of the Champions League: Ranking the Matches and Predicting the Winners

After an interminable nine week wait from the last Champions League matches on December 8, the long hibernation from European football is over. The Champions League returns on February 16 with Lyon hosting Real Madrid and Manchester United traveling to the San Siro to take on AC Milan.

So far, we have seen many different great and sad moments for European clubs all around during this year's action.

Powerhouse clubs such as Liverpool and Juventus have already been eliminated from the Champions League in the group stages, while unheralded sides such as CSKA Moscow and a Stuttgart group that was fighting relegation in the Bundesliga at the end of the group stage, were both able to advance.

With the Champions League returning from its hiatus, we will get to see the best sides in Europe face each other in the quest to reach the Champions League final on May 22 in Madrid.

To get you primed for the forthcoming action, here is a list of the eight most intriguing matchups in the first knockout stage of the Champions League, along with my forecast for which clubs will advance onto the quarterfinals.

 

No. 8: VfB Stuttgart v FC Barcelona

On paper, this matchup appears to be a walkover for the defending winners of the Champions League, Barcelona. VfB Stuttgart have the odds stacked against them and will need to perform exceptionally well in this David v Goliath matchup to advance onto the quarterfinals.

Despite the fact that Stuttgart were barely able to advance from their group, they have won their last five matches overall and will look to parlay their current form into an upset.

Meanwhile, Barcelona was able to do well in a tough Group F despite a loss to Russian Premier League side Rubin Kazan and without the services of players such as Eric Abidal and Dani Alves. Almost everybody expects the Catalan side to advance to the quarterfinals as they look to win the Champions League again.

Prediction: Stuttgart will put forth an honest effort, but they have no chance against a strong Barcelona side that will be determined to win the Champions League for a second straight season.

 

No. 7: Olympiacos v Bordeaux

After easily advancing from a tough Group A that included Bayern Munich and Juventus, Bordeaux are facing a tricky matchup against Olympiacos.

In the midst of a solid domestic season, Bordeaux currently is tied for the lead in Ligue One with Montpelier, with 48 points. There is no doubt that Bordeaux will be keen to net a crucial away goal in the first leg in Karaiskakis Stadium in order to advance.

Olympiacos made it this far by finishing second in Group H thanks to a victory over Arsenal in their final match of the Group Stage. They have also been extremely inconsistent in Greece this season, and are currently on their third manager in Bozidar Bandovic.

Prediction: There will be a draw in the first leg in Greece, but Bordeaux will be able to beat Olympiacos in the second leg at the Stade Chaban-Delmas to go onto the quarterfinals.

 

No. 6: CSKA Moscow v Sevilla

After a late surge in Group C got them into the knockout stage for the first time in club history, CSKA Moscow will look to continue its Cinderella run all the way to the quarterfinals despite not having played a match since December due to the end of the Russian Premier League season

The first leg will be played in the frigid Moscow weather, which could be a decisive advantage for CSKA Moscow in this matchup against Sevilla. The Spanish side has had a very solid season to date in La Liga and was able to finish first in Group G, which was by far the weakest group in the Group Stage. But Sevilla has also struggled as of late in La Liga, and this raises questions surrounding Sevilla's prospects.

Prediction: Despite being the better side, Sevilla will not be able to advance. CSKA Moscow will be able to advance due to the fact that they are hosting the first leg in the frigid Moscow weather, and will manage to keep up with Sevilla in Spain during the second leg with fresher legs than Sevilla.

 

No. 5: Bayern Munich v Fiorentina

The matchup between the sides that were largely responsible for dumping Liverpool and Juventus out at the group stage, Bayern Munich and Fiorentina will be an extremely intriguing matchup to watch.

Bayern previously tangled with Fiorentina in the knockout stage back in 2008. Bayern won 3-0 in Munich before a 1-1 draw with Florence allowed Bayern to advance onto the knockout stage.

As of late, Bayern have been tearing up the Bundesliga, and currently find themselves tied for first with Bayer Leverkusen with 45 points.

Fiorentina, on the other hand, has failed to win in Serie A since January 10, and is now 11th in the standings.

Bayern looks poised to become the first German side since Leverkusen in 2002 to appear in the Champions League final, but Fiorentina is not an easy opponent by any means. This could be the perfect opportunity for Fiorentina to continue their great Champions League run and make up for their disappointing domestic results.

Prediction: This matchup truly all comes down to the first leg in Munich and how Bayern performs there. I think that Bayern will be the better side and will be able to advance despite a strong showing by Florentina in the return leg in Florence.

 

No. 4: Lyon v Real Madrid

A matchup between two of the biggest clubs in their respective countries, Lyon and Real Madrid will both be eager to advance on to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2006, when Lyon was able to advance 5-0 on aggregate over PSV.

Lyon wants to show that they are capable of making a deep run in European competition after falling out of the Champions League Round of 16 in the last two years to Manchester United and FC Barcelona, respectively. Considering that those two sides went on to win the Champions League after besting Lyon, those are hardly embarrassing losses.

For Real Madrid, this is their chance to advance onto the quarterfinals for the first time since 2004, and look to get to the Champions League final for the first time since 2002. The Spanish giants may be feeling extra pressure because the final will be in their home stadium: the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Also, this matchup will be a homecoming of sorts for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, who left Lyon for Madrid in a 35 million pound transfer. The French starlet couldn't resist the allure of becoming a member of the new Galacticos.

Prediction: This is a matchup between two sides that have been major underachievers in Europe during recent seasons. Despite a strong performance by Lyon at the Stade de Gerland during the first leg, Real Madrid will be better at the Bernabeu and will be able to advance.

 

No. 3: FC Porto v Arsenal

Both sides are sure to focus all of their intention on the Champions League with domestic titles seemingly out of reach. Porto verus Arsenal is a matchup that should be extremely close overall and will bring out the best between each side.

Porto will look to build off their previous success against English teams at the Dragao—Manchester United and Chelsea are the only English sides that have ever won there in the Dragao's seven year history—and will look to reach the quarterfinals again after failing to advance against Man United last year.

Arsenal will be without Andrei Arshavin and Alex Song due to injury, but an away goal will be crucial if Arsenal is to advance in this matchup.

Prediction:  This is an extremely close matchup between two sides that are capable of beating their opponent to advance onto the quarterfinals. Despite the fact that I expect Porto to win at the Dragao during the first leg, Arsenal will get a critical away goal and will be able to beat Porto in London during the return leg.

 

No. 2: Inter Milan v Chelsea

A matchup that showcases the return of "the chosen one", Jose Mourinho, to his former club, Chelsea and Inter is a heavyweight battle. Both sides are currently leading their domestic leagues and are looking for some European success.

Although Inter Milan barely escaped Group G—they needed a 2-0 win over Rubin Kazan to advance onto the knockout stage—they have been dominant in Serie A and currently have a six point lead and a game at hand over their nearest contender, AS Roma.

For Chelsea, they were able to do well in January despite not having their African players due to the African Cup of Nations. But they have gained just one point in their last two Premier League matches, and are now without starting defender Ashley Cole until May due to a fractured ankle for the next three months.

Prediction:  This is an extremely intriguing matchup in the Champions League and an extremely close matchup to call. Overall, Inter has not been the strongest side in European competition and will have to face a Chelsea side that is extremely hungry for European glory after disappointment during their last two European campaigns.

Chelsea will advance, but it will only be by the skin of their teeth.

 

No. 1: AC Milan v Manchester United

A matchup between two sides that have had great success in Europe over the last decade, Manchester United will look to finally beat AC Milan in the Champions League after failing against the Rossoneri in each of their three previous Champions League matchups.

AC Milan was able to beat Real Madrid in the group stage and finish second overall. They have really started to come together in the last several months, coalescing into a side that has started to contend in Italy.

Manchester United was able to get over their recent injury crisis thanks largely to great play from striker Wayne Rooney. This matchup also brings former Manchester United star David Beckham to his former stomping grounds of Old Trafford in the second leg, and there will certainly be a media frenzy over his return.

Prediction: This truly is an intriguing matchup between two sides that have had great success in Europe during their history and will showcase a star coming back to the club that he grew up with.

In this matchup, both sides will bring their very best, but it will be Manchester United who will be able to win this contest in the second leg at Old Trafford, as United's defense is much better and they will be looking to get onto their third consecutive Champions League final.

Finally, these are eight great matchups in front of us as the world's greatest club football competition finally returns from its nine-week hiatus.